Executive Director:
Lauren Schwartz, MSW
Lauren Schwartz joined Collat Jewish Family Services as Executive Director in March of 2011. A Memphis native, she holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cornell University and a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.
Lauren began her career at CJFS in 1992, providing counseling, case management, and financial assistance to clients. She created new community collaborations, offering parenting programs in schools throughout the Birmingham area, and she developed group programming in response to community needs. Lauren honed her agency administrative skills over six years as the Director of Advancement for the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School, where she was responsible for fundraising events, marketing and recruitment.
Since returning to CJFS, Lauren has moved the agency strategically toward a focus on Senior Adult Services, an area of gaping need in Birmingham. “After a lifetime of giving to our community, our older adults deserve our support, respect and care,” Lauren explains, “We strive to connect seniors to resources, keep them engaged, and allow them to age in place safely.”
With exceptional compassion and expertise, CJFS provides transportation, case management, counseling, financial management, in-home care, respite and more. Lauren is passionate about her work helping seniors age with dignity, but her most meaningful work is being the mother of three fabulous kids, Seth, Alex, and Jamie, and partner to her husband, Daniel.
CARES Program Director/Social Worker:
Pam Leonard, LBSW, CDP
pam@cjfsbham.org
Pam Leonard, Program Director of the
CJFS CARES program which provides respite to individuals with dementia and movement disorders. A Licensed Baccalaureate Social Worker and Certified Dementia Practitioner, Pam has more than 20 years of experience providing education and support for caregivers, enabling older adults to age in place and improving the lives of clients through person-centered care. The
CARES program is designed not only to provide respite to caregivers, but to be cognitively, socially, and physically stimulating to participants. Pam and a team of
CARES staff and volunteers have created a positive and caring community that enriches quality of life for all involved.
Fund Development & Outreach Director:
Anna Read
anna@cjfsbham.org
Anna Read became a pivotal member of the CJFS team in August 2023 as the Fund Development & Outreach Director. In this role, Anna leads the mobilization of resources to meet and surpass annual and long-term fundraising goals, and oversees the development and implementation of all agency public relations, marketing, and communications strategy. She also provides oversight of agency Outreach programs and activities. Anna holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in Communication Management. Before joining CJFS, she worked for YWCA Central Alabama, where she was responsible for bringing in over $2.5 million in grants and contributions. While not shaping her professional sphere, she enjoys working in her yard, cherishing moments with her dog, Teddy and spending time with her husband, Charles.
Operations Director:
Carolyn Pevey
Carolyn Pevey joined the CJFS team in November 2015 as the Operations Director. She is responsible for upholding the fiscal policies put in place by the CJFS Board of Directors, overseeing the financial management of the agency, and serving as the Human Resource Manager. Carolyn has worked with non-profits for the past 10 years. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration from Georgia Southern University.
